Two Misseriya clans began a reconciliation conference yesterday morning in Ed-Daein of East Darfur. The event brought together leaders of the Awlad Heiban and Awlad Surur clans, and was also well attended by government officials and civil society from western South Kordofan.

The initiative came in response to the recent intra-tribal conflict around al-Fula in southwest Kordofan, which reportedly claimed 17 lives. Prominent mediators of the conflict have since included former South Darfur Governor Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha and Maj. Gen. (ret.) Burma Nasser, a former defence minister and member of National Umma Party.

Burma Nasser told Radio Tamazuj from Ed-Daien that the conference started yesterday and was expected to continue for three more days. He pointed to position papers shared by the participants as showing resolve to reach a successful conclusion of the conference.

He said that participants appeared willing to reach peaceful solutions and turn the page on their differences to avoid another war: “All indications point to the goodwill of participants towards reaching a mutually satisfactory solution, God willing.”

Photo: Misseriya leaders and authorities meet in Babanusa in South Kordofan earlier this month to prepare for the Ed-Daein conference.